Survivor is arguably among the best actuality exhibits ever, and has influenced numerous initiatives that adopted since its premiere again in 2000. The competitors collection, which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription, is gearing up for the premiere of Season 49, which lower two gamers proper earlier than filming started. Now host/showrunner Jeff Probst has gotten trustworthy about what went down in Fiji.
Whereas followers surprise how a lot cash Survivor contestants make, the inside workings of how the sport works are additionally a thriller to many. One lesser identified rule is that the forged is forbidden to speak with one another earlier than the sport begins, together with the pre-game time spent in Fiji. Two forged members from Season 49 had been lower for breaking this rule, leading to two alternates getting the possibility to play. Whereas peaking with TV Insider in regards to the brouhaha, Probst stated:
I’ll be trustworthy, I didn’t lose any sleep over it. I feel each gamers in all probability remorse it, however it left a mark. And that was the intention.
Ouch. Whereas some returning Survivor gamers admit to pregame alliances with one another earlier than leaving for Fiji, all contestants are anticipated to remain silent throughout the lockdown interval that happens proper earlier than filming begins. That is very true for first time gamers, so the viewers is ready to see all of their interactions on digicam. However two lower gamers from Season 49 broke this rule badly sufficient that they had been lower fully and despatched again house to the states.
Later in the identical interview, Probst spoke in regards to the no speaking rule that is been a part of Survivor for years. Whereas there’s priority for gamers getting a slap on the wrist earlier than beginning the sport, Season 49 is the primary time that they’ve needed to really eradicate gamers for breaking the rule. In his phrases:
I can’t consider a time we’ve got ever pulled any individual for violating our pre-game rule coverage of not speaking to different gamers. I’m certain over time we’ve had folks push the envelope a bit after which our casting crew will step in and say, ‘Hey, we all know it’s tough, however simply keep in mind you may’t speak till the sport begins. And that’s whenever you’re in entrance of Jeff.’ This was very totally different. This was blatant disrespect for the casting crew.
There are alternates for each season of Survivor, simply in case this must occur or forged members cannot compete as a consequence of medical or private points. Whereas there are many Survivor contestants that ought to have gone additional within the sport, the 2 gamers however from Season 49 have joined these ranks with out each really making it on to TV.
Jeff Probst additionally shared a bit extra about how the choice to disqualify not one however two contestants on Survivor 49 got here to be. He shared:
After I bought the primary cellphone name alerting me to a potential downside, I instantly went to our govt crew and stated, ‘Right here’s what’s occurring.’ And whereas we had been having that dialog, I bought a second cellphone name and that was all it took. The choice was as swift as conceivable, and it was, ‘They’re each gone. Inform the alternates they’re in.’ And I’ll be trustworthy, I didn’t lose any sleep over it.
It stays to be seen if 49 turns into among the best Survivor seasons, it is already turn into historic earlier than even beginning to air on CBS. I am unable to wait to seek out out which of the forged members had been initially alternates, and see how they in the end carry out. These disqualifications presumably modified the sport in a significant approach… until they by some means find yourself being voted out early on.
Our questions might be answered when Survivor 49 premieres on September twenty fourth as a part of the 2025 TV schedule. All I do know is that I would not wish to get on Jeff’s dangerous facet.